DEDHAM - As a third-grader growing up in Newton, Alexi Paraschos dressed up as Elvis Presley for Halloween and sang "Hound Dog Man’’ for trick-or-treats.

Since then, the acoustic soul singer - who now performs as Alexi - has learned from Motown, Michael Jackson and gospel music and has his own songs to sing.

The singer-songwriter with the smooth and soulful voice will release his first full length CD, "Something Greater,’’ in a concert and party on Saturday, Feb. 22. at 7 p.m. at Johnny D’s Uptown Restaurant and Music Club in Somerville.

"I think my sound is unique in the Boston area because it mixes soul and gospel in ways my audience can appreciate,’’ he said.

Written over the last three years, Alexi’s 14 songs focus on "life, love and spirituality,’’ lessons he’s learned since college, volunteering with AmeriCorps in North Carolina, and performing at area clubs, like Darryl’s Corner Bar in Boston. The love longs, he said, were inspired by his girlfriend Ashley Bradley.

Alexi might be singing to her in "Something Greater’’ when he croons: "We’re all searching but we just aint sure / We get glimpses but the doubt seems to endure / But we got lost somewhere along the way / Forgot that what we’re looking for’s the same.’’

At Johnny D's he'll perform with a full band, including bassist Parker McAllister, a drummer, two keyboard players, two horn players, two backup singers and a six-member choir.

"I love working with musicians who understand the genres they’re pulling from,’’ he said. "Each one uses their strength to create unique, beautiful music.’’

Alexi, who’ll accompany himself on piano, wrote all 14 tracks, arranged the music and produced the CD. He released his debut EP, "Come On In,’’ in 2011, the same year as his popular single, "Gotta Get Back (To My Music).’’

Born in Norway while his father, journalist Emmanuel Paraschos, was a Fullbright Scholar, Alexi was raised since the age of 7 in Newton where he grew up on the music of the Beatles, the Motown sound, Michael Jackson and, of course, Elvis Presley.

He sang in his middle school chorus and continued to sing through high school in the choir and while performing in musicals, including "42nd Street,’’ "Les Miz’’ and "Little Shop of Horrors.’’ He described his high school choir director, Sheldon Reid, as a "wonderful mentor’’ who’d encouraged his passion for gospel music.

Alexi, 27, graduated cum laude from Tufts University in 2009, where he majored in American Studies but took as many music courses as possible.

Page 2 of 2 - Since finishing his service with AmeriCorps, he’s spent three years at the prestigious Noble and Greenough School in Dedham where he teaches music, directs the chorus and coaches soccer.